E46 racks - Differences between trims

[Eddie Lives On]

So I'm looking to swap in an E46 330i/ci rack, and rackdoctor has the following listed:

2001 330i/ci
2002-2005 330i/ci ZF unit
2002-2005 330i/ci ZHP

Any difference in lock-to-lock and travel/turn?

Also, the racks they sell come with the E46 inners; Can I use those and then use E36 outers, or should I ask them to change the inners to E36's too?

Thanks

[guibo09]

Get the later year racks as early e46 racks are slower.

I recommend you keep e46 inners as they have a special air groove in them to balance the air between the boots. If you install e36 inners, you have to drill two holes in the rack and plumb an air tube in between similar to how e30/36 racks are. E36 outers should fit.

FYI late model e46 racks are 50mm/rev which is almost as fast as z3 rack.

[Eddie Lives On]

So 2002-2005 ZF unit, E46 inners, E36 outers then?

Get the later year racks as early e46 racks are slower.

I recommend you keep e46 inners as they have a special air groove in them to balance the air between the boots. If you install e36 inners, you have to drill two holes in the rack and plumb an air tube in between similar to how e30/36 racks are. E36 outers should fit.

FYI late model e46 racks are 50mm/rev which is almost as fast as z3 rack.

[guibo09]

So 2002-2005 ZF unit, E46 inners, E36 outers then?

Yes that should work. I'm not sure if zhp is any different, can't confirm.

Just be sure you have 50mm/rev when you get the rack, or else you got screwed.

Personally, I got mine from a low mile 2005 330i from southern rust free states way cheaper than rebuilt. You don't really need a rebuilt rack if you find something similar, new enough and no risk of having been rebuilt with Chinese seals. There are plenty out there, no unicorn part here.

[Eddie Lives On]

Yes that should work. I'm not sure if zhp is any different, can't confirm.

Just be sure you have 50mm/rev when you get the rack, or else you got screwed.

Personally, I got mine from a low mile 2005 330i from southern rust free states way cheaper than rebuilt. You don't really need a rebuilt rack if you find something similar, new enough and no risk of having been rebuilt with Chinese seals. There are plenty out there, no unicorn part here.

Off some forum member, ebay, or somewhere similar? I'm 45 minutes outside Montreal by the way... Thanks

[jeffnhiscars]

You may want to run those questions by Rich, the rackdoctor. He knows his stuff.
Rich@rackdoctor.net

Fwiw the one used rack I installed wound up leaking within months so I stick to the rebuilds.

[guibo09]

Off some forum member, ebay, or somewhere similar? I'm 45 minutes outside Montreal by the way... Thanks

Got mine from stuck over on e30tech. It was about 250+ shipping. But that was 3 years ago at least. Rack came from Texas I believe, if it didn't have some oil left in it, would have thought it was new!

My mistake was getting a short rack, ie no inner tie rods or boots. Just get the whole thing without the outers.

Oh other detail worth mentioning, you have to get creative with PS lines. The holes are not in the same location. I was able to carefully bend the pressure line to match, but not so for return. Return line I went to a local hydraulic tubing shop and got a new port fitting (instead of banjo) and some hose which fit better.

Also, e46 racks come with special input banjo bolt which has some sort of restrictor or one way valve in it. E30/36 are just hollow bolts. I kept the e46 special bolt (came with used rack). I'm not sure if it's necessary or not, didn't test without.

Finally, I rebuilt my PS pump, new reservoir, new redline fluid, new belt, new leomforder tie-rods, AKG rack spacers + joint spacers, and poly steering guibo. Also powder coated all the bracketry black for extra style points.

All said and done, wouldn't be surprised if total cost was over 600$. Adds up fast, but damn the steering feel is great.

Edit: yet another detail: e46 rack has slightly more overall travel than e30 rack. Since my tire/wheel clearance is already tight, I threw in some washers to limit the travel down to original rack.

[MC Hammered]

I bought a e46 zhp rack from rackdoctor and had them install e30 inner tie rods in it, if you need new outers they can supply them as well.

[Eddie Lives On]

Is it true that running a powered rack without power would actually ruin the unit in a matter of a few thousand miles, like it would loosen up in the middle or get harder to turn as some of the part prematurely wear inside? If there's any truth to that, does this still hold true even with a delete plate like the ones Condor offer?

[guibo09]

Is it true that running a powered rack without power would actually ruin the unit in a matter of a few thousand miles, like it would loosen up in the middle or get harder to turn as some of the part prematurely wear inside? If there's any truth to that, does this still hold true even with a delete plate like the ones Condor offer?

I imagine the seals would dry out and crack possibly, but unless you are planning to power it in the future, who cares?

Block off plate is probably best, with a half fill of fluid to keep it lubed.

However, do not plan on running e46 rack manual, won't be fun. I ran e30 rack manual and it was just manageable.